Kaptagat Marathon marks a decade of forest restoration efforts

Known globally for producing Olympic and World champions, Kaptagat Forest in Keiyo South Constituency, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on Saturday added another chapter to its legacy as thousands of runners participated in the 2026 Kaptagat Forest Marathon in support of environmental conservation.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki attended the event as Chief Guest and later presided over the official celebrations and prize-giving ceremony at Kaptarkok Primary School, underscoring the government’s support for conservation-driven community initiatives.

The marathon, organised under the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme (KICP), brought together elite athletes, local communities, conservation partners and nature enthusiasts in a shared commitment to protecting the forest ecosystem.

Participants competed in the 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km races, with this year’s edition introducing the event’s first-ever full marathon distance. Organisers confirmed that all race categories sold out before race day.

The courses wound through sections of the 32,941-hectare forest before culminating at Kaptarkok Primary School, where winners were later recognised during the official celebrations.

The forest forms part of the larger Elgeyo Hills-Cherangany ecosystem, a critical water tower and carbon sink that supports livelihoods and biodiversity across the region.

Organisers described the marathon as a practical demonstration of how sport can support environmental restoration by mobilising communities and drawing attention to the need to protect natural ecosystems.

The event coincided with celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of KICP under the theme “10 to 20: Restore. Sustain. Transform.”, reflecting the programme’s ambition to build on a decade of restoration gains.

National Treasury Principal Secretary and KICP Patron Dr. Chris Kiptoo said the next phase of the programme would focus on scaling up conservation interventions while deepening community participation.

“As we celebrate ten years of restoration in Kaptagat Forest, we are laying the foundation for another decade of action to restore, sustain and transform this critical ecosystem for future generations,” said Kiptoo.